News from Rwanda 4

This week we have moved on to the
last stage of the project with the staff planning and leading
sessions whilst we observe. This has been very exciting for us as
we have been able to see how much of the Interactive Music Making
principles the staff have taken on. On the whole, the sessions have
been very positive; in one individual session the child showed
abilities the staff and mother had not thought he possessed.
Yesterday we saw some group sessions where the staff member had
been able to create a lovely atmosphere in which the young people
were all able to take the lead, be creative and have fun. We are
already preparing to say goodbye next week, and we know this will
be difficult as we have formed relationships with staff and
children; however, it is so encouraging that they have taken on and
are developing some of the key ideas we have shown them.

We are in the process of writing
a booklet to leave behind as a resource for staff. It will include
the key principles we have been outlining, practical information
and advice, and ideas for activities for individuals and groups. We
are also drawing some nice illustrations to go with the activities!
The booklet will be in English as there is at least one good
English speaker at each centre, which has made the language barrier
less of an issue. We’ve continued with our Kinyarwanda
lessons, however, and can now use greetings, talk about journeys,
and have a few music related phrases; ‘Listen to each
other’ tkumvikane, ‘Let’s improvise
together’ guhimba, and ‘Let’s sing
together’ leka turirimbane.

At the weekend, we ventured into
Kamembe town for dinner; a buffet of rice, beans, matoki
(plantain), manioc, salad (chopped raw onions), spinach and tiny
fish. We were surprised to be offered Coke to mix with our
Guinness, but then found out the reason why; here, it’s
export strength and fizzy! On Sunday we visited the island of
Nkombo. We rowed across in a canoe; this is the only means of
transport to the island and all passengers take an oar. On the way
back we were amazed when a motorbike was lifted in! Life is
especially hard for people who live on the island. The soil is
poor, there is not much work, and it was hard hit by the earthquake
in 2008; many people are still living in temporary accommodation.
We visited some families Rwanda Aid has been supporting, and the
resident dance troupe, who danced and sang to welcome
us.

Thanks for your continued
support. The next time we write will be our last blog; we
can’t believe how fast the time has gone!